Chairs: Janette, Kathleen, Matt, Robin
Attendees: JB, DD, SE (half), JL, LS, MM, MS, KM, RM, WT
Apols: DC, JP
Femme-La Dit (Wendy)
Introduced idea of claps/snaps as first verse or punctuation, depending on how the rest goes. Seems to help with the timing. Slowed pace down a bit. Progress hampered by chaps not knowing their parts. For next time everyone please to be OFF BOOK on this – it’s a short song, and we need to spend the time on fitting the bits together and getting the percussion in properly and not on how the tune goes. Next appearance 21 Oct.
Duan Nollaig (Wendy)
We now have definitive words (see the song page for download). Again, progress hampered by chaps not knowing their parts. Please learn your part before the next outing, paying attention which notes are dotted crotchets and which are quavers, and singing accordingly.
Remember quietly on verses and louder on choruses.
Daniel has bowed out. Thanks for his help today in leading it. 😀
Reach Out (Wendy)
Please could everybody watch the Drifters YouTube video and think about MOVING. It’s a groooooooovy song. Robin transferred to lead with Wendy and Mercedes. Janette still on lead overlaps (great sound, Janette). WT, MS and RM to use some time at next possible rehearsal to work on getting the lead vocal tight. Agreed to use the Drifters and not Una May as our model. All to watch video on website and mimic that as far as poss. Thanks to DD for picking up the bass on the day.
Try to remember the suggestion about ‘swelling’ on the na na nas. Altos to synchronise their “hah’s as far as possible please. Louli seems to have it, Juliana so watch her.
All those who can use shakers and sing at the same time (Matt, Robin, Duncan, WT) encouraged to do so – the song really needs percussion.
We will defer decision on using third verse to next rehearsal. Date to be confirmed asap.
Brown Eyed Girl (Juliana)
Sounding much improved – backing tighter and Tenors infused with Van the Man. Matt has since found a version with the naughty words in (thanks Matt) showing what J ‘Brown Eyes’ B was attempting to demonstrate today. Still some timing issues with the Tenors – one occurs in the second “you my-y brown eyed girl” in every chorus. It’s a long ‘you’ then two short notes on ‘my-y’. Backing very much better. Middle part of song – the transition to (ironically) ‘So hard to find my way’ needs going over a few times. Thanks all, it’s coming along nicely. I think even old grumpy Van Morrison wouldn’t storm off in a huff.
Moonlight Serenade (Kathleen)
Started hesitantly but improved after splitting up into two groups. Good support from DD on the piano.
Tenors need to crack the solo section ‘Just you and I….kissing the trees etc’, also come in strongly with conviction.
ALL to practice the following ‘don’t.’
For Tuesday everyone to practice the last two lines of the song which have some crunchy harmonies!
Also I would like to introduce a slight pause to distinguish the verses. So that’s a pause before:
‘The Stars are aglow’
‘Let us stray’
Gaudete (Robin)
To add a bit of texture and interest to the song please note the following;
There are 4 verses and chorus.
Chorus unusually starts the song with Sops coming in on bar 14.
So having explained that.
1st chorus – forte [ strongly]
2nd and 3rd chorus – split parts for tenor/bass and alto , first 4 bars delivered pianissimo [softly] and last 4 bars forte [ as before]
4th chorus – forte [ you should know by now]